New kid on the block Ramsay’s swift rise to Rugby World Cup call-up

ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 07: Hannah Ramsay during a Scotland Women's World Cup squad announcement at the Old Course, on August 07, 2025, in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Two seasons ago, the stand-off was getting a few minutes here and there for Edinburgh Rugby in the inaugural Celtic Challenge.

Now, having been named as part of Scotland’s 32-player group for the impending Rugby World Cup, having just won her first two caps, Hannah rightly describes the last few weeks as being something she could only dream of.

“Yeah, it’s been a whirlwind!,” the 20-year-old said. “I was hoping to win a cap as it’s something I’ve been working towards for ages, and I was one of the few in the squad who were uncapped.

“I loved my debut [facing Italy as a replacement earlier in the month] – it went so quickly. I felt like we were prepared after a lot of hard work so I tried to make sure I enjoyed it. My first start [against Ireland in a warm-up], there was a bit more pressure but I loved both experiences.

All smiles: Hannah will hope to be pulling the strings for Scotland in the years to come, perhaps starting at this Rugby World Cup.

“I want to enjoy it, there are so many great girls, great players and I’m still new to the scene. So, it’s a case of proving myself as a player in any way I can and learn from the likes of Nelly [Helen Nelson] and Thommo [Lisa Thomson] – I remember when I was playing under-18s and I got to do a skills session with them and it was a ‘pinch me’ moment, so to be on the same team now is crazy.”

Hannah’s introduction to rugby came through local programme in South Queensferry, through her school, Forrester, as she explained:“Someone came to our primary school to give a taster session and from there, I went on to do a class at Queensferry, and I’ve just loved it ever since. I was always in a boys’ team – I wouldn’t say I was good but I really enjoyed it, doing the extras, the physical side of things.

“I’ve always been a 10, that’s where I was put in the early days. Being calm under pressure is something I’m working on. I was out for quite a while after I did my ACL and I was lucky that when I came back I got straight into the Edinburgh Rugby Celtic Challenge squad.

Early days: Hannah in action for Edinburgh Rugby during the first season of the Celtic Challenge, December 2023.

“The first year, I came off the bench and I think I got 20 minutes in total, then last season I was starting games. I got called into the Six Nations training squad and now being named in the World Cup squad – it’s definitely gone very quickly!

“So learning to be calm under pressure has been important, but luckily I’ve got Nelly there who has been great in helping me. She’s one of the stand-offs I really look up to, along with Sarah Law.”

Helping her remain calm, no doubt, is Hannah’s grandad – her biggest fan. “Me and my Grandad have had a season ticket for Edinburgh Rugby for the past few years. So each time we go, we meet to get fish and chips and then go along to the game, just the two of us. The rest of my family are not really rugby-oriented, so it’s nice to have that connection.

“He was chuffed, the first person I called and his usual response is ‘that’s what I expected’ but he does tear-up sometimes, bless him!”

With grandad looking on, Hannah will go to a Rugby World Cup aged just 20. She’ll also rely on the back of the likes of Nelson and Thomson, although the latter is in no doubt, as an inside centre, that Hannah will be the orchestrator should she see any action: “She reminds me a lot that I’m to tell her what to do! She’s so smart and great to play with.”

Hannah Ramsay is growing. From Celtic Challenge run-outs to a starter in no time. From squad trainer to full Scotland cap in equally rapid time. You get the feeling that if she does get onto the pitch in England this month, she will be calling the shots in her customary calm fashion.